Tags: MRT
MRT: the fallacies and folly of privatization
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective What the government does, corporations can do better and more efficiently. Competition will bring down the prices of services, which were formerly provided by government. Besides, government-owned and controlled corporations are just milking cows of corrupt government officials so it is better to turn it over to the private sector.…
Reasons behind MRT’s frequent breakdowns, mishaps
“For months commuters have been squeezed dry by unjust MRT fare hikes even as the quality of train service has diminished or has even become hazardous.”
One million signatures vs. MRT-LRT fare hike promised by commuters group
“As the Supreme Court continues to refuse to issue a TRO, we vow to present to the public more ways of participating in the protests. We call on the public to sustain our protests and continue to make our voices heard.”
On SC decision for LRT, MRT fare hike | ‘ SC takes side of govt, capitalist cohorts’
“It just goes to show that this administration is hell-bent on pursuing the interests of his bosses. And I’m not talking about the Filipino people, but the capitalists who run the MRTC and LRMC.” – Train Riders Network (TREN)
Why is Aquino raising MRT, LRT fares when it is not needed? groups ask
“There is more than ample budget for the MRT and LRT but Malacañang wants to increase fares so that they can have discretion over the savings and turn this into a Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP)-like pork barrel to be spread to their favourite politicians.” – Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares
Opponents list reasons why MRT-LRT fares should go down instead
Since 2011, protests have held back the planned fare hike.
After all the breakdowns, accidents, a fare hike?
“Before proposing any increase, the high cost of operations and the large amount of debt incurred by the project should first be investigated, specifically on whether taxpayers are actually subsidizing debts incurred by the private consortium that built the MRT.” – Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate
‘Best to keep LRT1 run by public servants’ — consumer groups
“With more than a million passengers riding all three lines a day, the MRT and LRT generate more than enough income for their operations and maintenance. That’s the reason why big businesses are drooling over and trying to buy them.”
Minding the problem of monster traffic in Metro Manila
KALIBUTAN By CLEMENTE BAUTISTA Bulatlat.com Stuck for hours on the road from early morning to nearly midnight, Metro Manila commuters had a very frustrating experience September 5, when traffic stood at a standstill from Manila City to Bulacan province. With an hour of thunderstorm with heavy rains just this October 1, we saw yet another…
The failed promises of privatization
By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective Privatization, by whatever name – Build-Operate-Transfer or Public-Private Partnerships – was touted to be the solution to the inefficient, monopolistic management by government of public utilities and services. It was supposed to be the opposite of how the dictator Marcos monopolized and profited from basic utilities such as electricity, water,…